Kolkata is 300 years old. Kolkata is the oldest major port in the country. It remains to be the capital of India till 1911 and also the main area for the activities of British. Kolkata was been selected as the trading center by the British. After the partition of India between India and Pakistan Kolkata became the capital of West Bengal. Now after a long time Kolkata had become a busy and flourishing town, the center of the cultural as well as the political and economic life of Bengal.

Kolkata history

In 1690, Job Charnok, from East India Company selected Kolkata for a British trade settlement. He took the lease of the three villages- Sutanuti, Govindapur and Kolkata(Calcutta) as a trading post of British East India. The city came into limelight in 1756, when Siraj-Ud-Dawlah, the nawab of Bengal, captured the city. But the British again captured it in 1757 under Robert Clive. The first Governor-General of India, Warren Hastings made it the place of the supreme courts of justice and then the Kolkata became the capital of British India in 1772. By 1800 Kolkata had become a busy and flourishing town, the center of the cultural as well as the political and economic life of Bengal.

Kolkata fair & festivals

There are many festivals which are celebrated in Kolkata i.e.

Durga Puja :- Durga Puja held in early autumn and is also referred to as "Sharadiya". An earthen image is made of Goddess Durga with her consort and family members i.e. Lakhsmi - Saraswati - Kartik - Ganesh - Kalabau - their pets, decorated with intricate dresses and ornaments. The main puja is organised as "Sandhi Puja" which is the juncture between "Ashtami" and "Navami". On "Dashami" all the earthen idols are carried in decorated carts or trucks and are immersed in river. Fairs are also held on this occasion at various places.

Laxmi Puja :- In the month of October, on full moon, this festival is celebrated, of the Goddess of prosperity Laxmi. Public Pujas are organized in the same premises as for Durga Puja.

Kolkata best season

As Kolkata is situated near the sea the temperature remains constant through out the year still climate from October to April is best.